OK so Rent is about $1,001/month for a decent place. Average temperature is around 76°F, so it's warm year-round. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. Worth the trade-offs? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
29 upvotes
8 Replies
Madeline
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Southern places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
37 upvotes
Mackenzie Mitchell
Bought a house here in 2022 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
34 upvotes
Adrian Wright
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 36, moved here 8 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Midtown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Portland, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
28 upvotes
Zoey S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 12 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Isabella W.
I work in legal here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Grace Young
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Baltimore about 13 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
Claire Rivera
I've lived in Highland for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
- The safety scene is tough
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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